Advanzia Bank's Sustainable Transformation

In the heart of Luxembourg, a remarkable transformation has taken place. Advanzia Bank, the European digital bank, embarked on a journey to create a workplace that not only accommodates their expansion but also nurtures a new working culture, fosters collaboration, and aligns with their sustainability goals.

Nishant Fafalia, CEO of Advanzia Bank, explains the project's inception:

"We started to look for a new office some years ago. There were two main challenges. The most important for us was to make sure that we create the best environment for our employees. It comes down to how we collaborate, how it looks, and ensuring we have the facilities in place that can make people thrive and create the best out of the business. Secondly, we wanted to make it as sustainable as possible."

JLL and Tétris responded to Advanzia's needs with a comprehensive 360° service that covered all stages of the project. This OneJLL approach seamlessly blended Tenant Representation, Tétris design expertise, and JLL project management capabilities.

The JLL Tenant Representation team served as Advanzia's trusted advisor from the initial negotiations with the landlord to the finalization of the lease agreement for the Emerald building in Munsbach, ensuring it was tailored to their sustainability and well-being requirements.

JLL Project and Development Services team successfully advised on workplace strategy and, overseeing their implementation during construction, ensuring Advanzia’s needs were met and facilitating smooth communication with contractors, and timely snag closure.

Tétris played a pivotal role in this project, leading the innovative design process and providing bespoke furniture elements for Advanzia's sustainable and people-focused workspace.

Lead designer Marie Chaveriat conceived a comprehensive design philosophy built on harnessing spatial energy through the five elements: Fire, Earth, Water, Metal, and Wood. Chaveriat explains their unique approach:

"We integrated the 5 elements into every aspect of the space design, creating harmony. Each area is associated with an element corresponding to its function. For instance, the ground floor kitchen & coffee break areas draw inspiration from the Earth element, symbolizing support and a nurturing environment."

Vibrant cafeteria

The workspace features noise-reducing measures, ergonomic furniture, and customizable lighting. Collaboration zones offer comfortable spaces for informal meetings, while integrated biophilic elements promote tranquility and reduce stress levels.

Tétris also provided the entire furniture solution for the client. Emeline Schaus from Tétris Furniture Department, working closely with Marie, meticulously selected samples and colors, sourcing the best brands and models to seamlessly blend the design concept with the client's needs.

This holistic approach by Tétris not only meets functional requirements but also creates an environment that enhances well-being and productivity, showcasing their expertise in creating innovative, employee-centric workspaces. The project's success was ultimately confirmed by the client's enthusiastic response. Advanzia expressed exceptional satisfaction with Tétris' result, praising the seamless integration of design philosophy, functionality, and attention to detail. This positive feedback underscores Tétris' ability to exceed client expectations and deliver truly transformative workspace solutions.

The 4,265 sq.m Emerald building is the Benelux's first zero-carbon office building.

To meet industry-wide accepted and acknowledged sustainability standards, Emerald holds the BREEAM Excellent and DGNB Gold certification. In terms of minimizing the carbon footprint, the building is certified according to ILFI's Zero Carbon criteria. A highly efficient heating, cooling and ventilation system, photovoltaic installations, rainwater usage, sun protection and light control together with a centralized controlling system help to analyze and optimize energy consumption and thus contribute to minimizing Emerald's carbon footprint. In addition, 100% of the electricity consumed is generated from renewable energies. ​

The forthcoming WELL platinum certification prioritizes the health, wellbeing and satisfaction of Advanzia's employees.

Natural elements

As the Emerald building has successfully met Advanzia's needs for growth, sustainability, and employee well-being. Nishant Fafalia shares his feedback:

"The feedback on our new building has been overwhelmingly positive. Our employees are thrilled with its appearance and ambiance. They appreciate the ergonomic design, the quality of the furniture, and all the amenities we've provided. From a business perspective, this workspace has become a powerful asset. As we continue to grow rapidly, having such an inviting environment gives us a competitive edge in attracting talent. Moreover, it aligns perfectly with our sustainability goals, further enhancing our corporate image and environmental commitment."

The Advanzia Bank project showcases the power of the OneJLL approach, combining JLL's expertise in tenant representation and project management with Tétris's innovative design capabilities. The result is a workspace that not only meets Advanzia's current needs but also positions them for future growth while adhering to the highest standards of sustainability.

Reception desk with golden metal elements

Emna Rekik, JLL Luxembourg Country Lead explains: “The Advanzia Bank journey exemplifies key trends shaping the future of work. By prioritizing sustainability, employee well-being, and flexibility, the new Emerald building reflects a shift towards more human-centric and environmentally conscious workspaces. The design incorporates open and collaborative areas, natural lighting, terraces, fitness room, aligning with the growing emphasis on creating environments that foster productivity, creativity, and work-life balance. As the first carbon-neutral office building in Benelux, it also demonstrates the increasing importance of sustainability in corporate real estate. This project showcases how forward-thinking companies are reimagining their workplaces to attract and retain talent, promote collaboration, and meet evolving environmental standards – all crucial elements in the future of work landscape.”